Fallout shelter

Fallout shelter, building or underground structure whose purpose is to protect people from the effects of fallout, or radiation. In 1961 the U.S. government began to designate certain buildings as public fallout shelters. Buildings with thick layers of brick, concrete, or stone may serve as fallout shelters, and well-protected underground areas might also serve. Home fallout shelters, which need to be supplied with basic provisions, are usually underground buildings with thick walls.

See also: Civil defense; Fallout.